The sultry young model holds a picture or a mirror. This pastel and that of the boy in a blue jacket form a contrasting pair that always must have been together. Each is inscribed by the artist and dated 1717 on the reverse.

Catalogue Entry

The sultry young model in red, her dark blond hair touched with butter-colored highlights, holds a picture or a mirror. With her direct glance, she is an unusually bold female type for Benedetto Luti. The present pastel and that of the boy in a blue jacket (see 2007.360) form a contrasting pair that must always have been together. Each is dated 1717 and inscribed in a style that is characteristic of Luti on the original backing. Similar works may be found at Holkham Hall, Norfolk; in the Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence; and in the State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg. The pastels have always been admired by connoisseurs.